Hearn’s legal team not satisfied

Hearn’s legal team welcomed the dismissal but made clear they were not satisfied with how the case had been handled.

“Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong,” his lawyers said in a joint statement.

“The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr Hearn an apology.”

The Reflecting Pool had been renovated as part of a $15 million overhaul ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

Within days of being filled, large sections of the newly installed blue lining began bubbling, tearing and peeling away. Donald Trump publicly accused “Radical Left Lunatics” of deliberately destroying the pool and said law enforcement was investigating.

With the case against Hearn formally collapsed, legal analysts expect the remaining misdemeanor cases against other visitors who touched the peeling liner to be dismissed shortly as well.